Has a rookie ever won the Indy 500? Robert Shwartzman could join an elite group
Has a rookie ever won the Indy 500? Robert Shwartzman could join an elite group
Robert Shwartzman made Indy 500 history last weekend, becoming the first rookie driver since 1983 to capture pole position for the Indianapolis 500 with a stunning run in Fast 6 qualifying.
It's not only Shwartzman's first attempt at the Indy 500 - it's his first race on an oval in his entire racing career. Shwartzman moved up through the European karting and Formula levels, eventually becoming the Formula 3 champion in 2019 and a test driver for Ferrari's Formula 1 team.
He made the move to IndyCar in 2025 with the brand new Prema Racing team, and hasn't finished above 18th in the five races so far in 2025 - but he showed plenty of speed when it mattered on the sport's greatest stage.
A total of 10 Indy 500 rookies have won in their first attempt over the years - but it's become extremely rare in the modern era.
Indianapolis 500 races won by a rookie driver:
2016: Alexander Rossi
2001: Helio Castroneves
2000: Juan Pablo Montoya
1966: Graham Hill
1928: Louis Meyer
1927: George Souders
1926: Frank Lockhart
1914: Rene Thomas
1913: Jules Goux
1911: Ray Harroun (inaugural Indy 500)
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